Many sign petition but are they legal?
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

On the first day the two liquor petitions were available to sign, Sharon Paulson collected six pages of names in half a day, and could have filled more if voters outside the city of Jasper could sign, she said.

In half an hour on a rainy Wednesday last week, more than a dozen people walked up wanting to sign, but they lived outside the city.

"We'd love not to have to drive so far (to buy wine)," said one couple. "Gas is getting too expensive, and why should we have to go somewhere else to buy the specials?"

Beatrice Johnson said she hoped liquor sales would bring tax revenue into the city and more businesses.

"It would be a good thing for our city," Johnson said. "We need it."

Christine Heiselbetz said she hated driving to the county line and would prefer to shop local.

Another man who lived outside the city limits commented he didn't drink but he'd be glad to sign if he could. He said he'd rather see the sales kept local, and that he expected it would be better than people driving 30 miles and then drinking on the way home.

In an unscientific poll of the people who entered Wal-Mart in 30 minutes, 80 percent were hopeful the measures would pass, 10 percent didn't care, and 10 percent were opposed.

Paulson was collecting signatures for two different petitions, one for beer and wine sales in the stores, another for mixed drinks in restaurants.

She told prospective signers that the mixeddrink petition might bring more restaurants to Jasper, and the beer and wine sales would benefit stores and businesses. Everyone who stopped to sign, signed both.

Paulson is a contractor from Arlington who says she enjoys her job. She's been all over the state helping with various campaigns.

"Meeting people is what I love about doing this job," Paulson said. "People in Jasper have been welcoming and supportive for the most part. Now if we could have some better weather, I'd really be enjoying myself."

Booker T. Hunter stopped and volunteered to help her in getting people to sign. He says these sales will help Jasper keep stores here and increase sales tax revenue for the city.

"This is important," Hunter said. "It's going to help us all."